How to Reset Transmission Control Module Chevy Silverado – Check This Out!

Do you have an intention to buy an automobile? Or you have owned your car but recently your gearbox does not work well? You may care about how to reset Transmission Control Module Chevy Silverado (TCM) if you have those needs or problems.

The car industry is broad and expensive. Thus, you must equip yourself with accurate information so as not to throw your money out of the window. 

Let’s take a trip in this article to get enough information about the Transmission Control Module. These useful pieces of knowledge will assist you to protect your car in the future.

What is Transmission Control Module?

When the car moves, the TCM works as a clever robot with the engine and transmission. It calculates appropriate times and places to shift gears. Those calculations contribute to your best experience and safety.

Besides, another function of TCM is to issue warnings in the form of OBD II code. Whenever TCM detects troubles with your vehicle’s transmission, it sends a message to your system. The message is not the same in cars but it’s easy to recognize. The signal, for instance, is eye-catching by light on the dashboard or voice message by the virtual assistant.

 

Also Read: Fixing P0300 Code Chevy Silverado Issues

Importance of transmission control module

TCM is the crucial connection between your vehicle’s computer and transmission. It takes charge of announcing you to adjust the right gears for suitable situations. Moreover, it can detect the risk and warn the driver on the spot. Thus, your driving job becomes easier than ever because TCM has handled all the problems.

Types of Transmission

There are 4 common types of transmission today that customers need to know:

01. Manual Transmission

Manual Transmission is the simplest and oldest transmission of 4 types. It is totally under control by humans. And due to its simple structure, it causes inconvenient experiences for drivers. Thus, today it almost disappeared in the latest automobile. 

02. Automatic Transmission

Automatic Transmission is incorporated into most cars today. It has minimized driver work with the gearshift. The trade-off for simpler driving also costs expensive repair. 

03. Continuously variable transmission (CVT)

Despite an automatic transmission, CTV uses pulleys instead of gears for operation. A CVT car is good at saving energy and low cost to repair. The fixed limitation of CVT cars is the noise when operating.

04. Semi-automatic and dual-clutch transmissions 

It is effortless to guess from the name that it is a mix of Manual and Automatic Transmission. These transmissions mainly appear in racing cars, and high-end cars. Their repair costs are also not cheap at all. 

How does Automatic Transmission Control Module work? 

Understanding how Automatic Transmission works will assist you to utilize it the most. Some components, such as the Torque Converter, Planetary Gears, and Turbine, are critical.

The Torque Converter’s pump receives power from the engine.

After that, the energy is delivered to the Torque Converter’s Turbine by the transmission fluid.

The Turbine then returns the transmission fluid to the pump through the stato. The Stato multiples the transmission fluid’s power.

The pump transmits this power to the Turbine once again to make it rotate.

The axis rotates following the Turbine, which transmits energy to the planetary gear system.

Finally, it will determine which component rotates or does not based on calculations. 

Or you can access the link below to see how it works.

Two up-to-date Transmissions that boost the system efficiency are: 4L60E and 4L65E

 

Specifications of 4L60E transmission: 

• Type: 4 Speed Longitudinal Automatic
• Length: 21.9 inches
• Input Shaft: 298mm
• Weight: 146 pounds 
• Fluid Capacity: 8.8 to 11.4 quarts
• Max Input Torque: 350 lb-ft
• RPO Code: M30

Specifications of 4L65E transmission

• Type: 4 Speed Longitudinal Automatic
• Length: 22 inches
• Input Shaft: 300mm 
• Weight: 194,6 pounds
• Fluid Capacity: 8.8 to 11.4 quarts
• Max Input Torque: 380 lb-ft
• RPO Code: M32

Signs of degraded Transmission Control Module

Transmission not only plays the role of shifting gears to help the car run smoother but also warns of dangers to your vehicle. Its structure is quite complicated, so it sometimes leads to failure. You ought to examine whether your automobile has subsequent issues or not. If yes, quickly have your car checked:

01. Unforeseeable Shifting

When the transmission starts to shift inaccurately and undesirably, it can be troublesome. Worse, you can be in an accident.

02. Poor Fuel Economy

Automatic Transmission can optimize your vehicle’s fuel economy. If your car runs out of fuel faster than usual, the transmission might be in trouble. 

03. The check engine light

Maybe the computer detected some conflict in the system and automatically switched this light on. If the code P0700 appears, it’s properly your transmission’s error.

SEE MORE: How To Reset Check Engine Light On GMC Sierra

04. Degraded Problem

This issue is easy to find out. When you speed up or slow down but the shift gears are not smooth, it can be a degradation in transmission. 

05. Stuck in the Same Gear

Whatever you do with your vehicle, there are still no shift gears. Of course, your task now is to take your car to the garage

Why does it need to reset the Transmission Control Module?

If you wonder whether to reinstall the TCM or not, the answer is definitely yes. Here are the reasons why you should:

01. Updated Program

The module needs resetting to match the program. This will help your system to decide more precisely. What’s more, once the system works, you will have a better driving experience. Most vehicles today come with an installed program. Your job just needs to sit in the car and perform some simple operations. Then the Transmission Control Module will be reset.

02. Long time use

A reason why your Transmission Control Module no longer works well is due to long-term use. This sometimes causes the system to make incorrect decisions. As a result, you will have bad experiences in the car. Those problems directly affect you. Thus, resetting the module will bring back the accurate decision of transmission.

03. Adapt with other equipment in your vehicle

Resetting the Transmission Control Module can make it better adapted to other components of the vehicle. Since then, it will give more standard calculations. For example, the Transmission can adjust the gears to cut your vehicle’s fuel consumption. This helps you save a significant amount of fuel costs.

Preparation for resetting Transmission Control Module

Time

The time for reinstalling TCM is relatively long. The car cannot be available during the resetting process. Hence, you need to manage your time and schedule so as not to disrupt it during that period.

Key

The system requires an operation to start resetting. So remember to bring the key along with you. Moreover, rotate the key to the right position so that you can operate the resetting program. 

Read instruction carefully

You must read the instructions carefully before resetting the transmission. The instruction has useful information to begin resetting your transmission. So read it carefully instead of reading it during the process. If you haven’t known yet, follow the instructions below. We will show you how to perform resetting the Transmission Control Module.

Simple Steps for How to Reset Transmission Control Module Chevy Silverado

Instead of paying to buy a new transmission, why don’t you reset it? By resetting Transmission Control Module Chevy, it will update the program and restore the initial state of the device.

In consequence, you have reduced an enormous expense to have a new module. If you don’t know how to reset it, don’t be worried because the detailed instruction is available below:

01. Switch the ignition key on

First, you get inside your car and put the key into the hollow. Then turn it to ON position to start the car. This is the initial and crucial step so be focused.

To check if the key is in the right position or not, check the lights on the dashboard. If the lights are on, it is available to proceed. Another way to ensure is to listen to the key when operating. As you put the key into the electrical outlet and hear 2 clicks when rotated, it’s in the right position.

Now, don’t rush to step on the gas or start the engine. The hurry will cause you to carry on the process repeatedly. 

02. Put enough pressure on the accelerator:

Pick your foot on the gas pedal and put moderate pressure to push it down. Increase leg strength until the pedal gets to the ground. When pressing the pedal to the ground, do not leave your foot, continue to hold for 10-15 seconds.

03. Wait and keep calm

As noted above, you mustn’t be in the race. Be patient and hold the acceleration for 10-15 seconds. This will force the resetting program to start.

04. Switch the key off

In this step, you can switch off the key but mustn’t release the pressure on the pedal. You still have to hold it. Now your job is simply to turn the key back to the original position (position 0)

Stay the key right there and don’t take it out. The implementation of resetting the transmission control module Chevy relies on it. 

05. Put the pressure out of the accelerator

Make sure your key is in zero position and that you are still pushing on the accelerator the whole time before. Now you can relax and release the pressure out of the accelerator.

This is almost the last step and you won’t want to know what you missed. That’s why we constantly remind you in the former steps.

06. Operate car and enjoy the moment

Right after releasing the pressure, the system is going to restart for a short time.

After completion, go in your car and test driving for 15-20 minutes. The TCM is reset so it needs a little time to get accustomed to the engine and other components.

Check the gearshift when you speed up, decelerate, or stop the car. If everything works in accord, congratulations! You have successfully reset the TCM Chevy.

If it still has some problems, you should get the mechanic to repair your car.

Cost to change the Transmission Control Module?

In case you have reset but the TCM doesn’t work normally, take your vehicle to the garage. They will check entirely and give the solution for your vehicle. The worst situation that can come out is to alter the Transmission Control Module.

And the fee is not cheap at all. On average, the expense for the replacement of the Transmission Control Module is between $250 to $1250. The cost of TCM is in the range of $200 – $750 and the labor cost is from $50 to $500.

Also Read: How to Reset AC on Chevy Silverado

FAQs about How to Reset Transmission Control Module Chevy Silverado

01. Can a car run without TCM?

TCM is an inseparable part of a car. Assume that a car runs without TCM, it cannot run effectively. Thus, if TCM suddenly disappears, the car won’t run normally and cause accidents on the street. 

02. What are the Benefits and Drawbacks of Automatic Transmission?

• Benefits: In comparison to Manual Transmission, the Automatic brings a more comfortable experience to the driver. Instead of driving while calculating the next gear to shift, the driver now can only focus on driving. 
• Drawbacks: To bring the best convenience for the driver, the Automatic Transmission system is very complex. Thus, it is hard to fix and also requires more expense. 

03. Can I replace the transmission control module myself?

Yes, of course, it seems to be easy to replace TCM in many vehicles. However, it’s difficult to realize the TCM’s position. The TCM after installation needs adjusting to being consistent with your vehicle. Thus, it should be left to an expert mechanic.

04. What is the average lifespan of a transmission control module?

Knowing the longevity of TCM encourages you to have it repaired or replaced. For broken TCM, the common range is between 75,000 and 125,000 miles.

05. Where do I find the Transmission Control Module?

To locate exactly the position of TCM in your car, you should refer to familiar garages or ask an authorized dealer.

06. What is the price for a fixed Transmission Control Module?

The cost for transmission fixed is cheaper than replacement. It costs around $300 on average and can be changed in different places

07. What should you do when the P0700 code appears on the dashboard?

This is a danger warning. You absolutely mustn’t drive when this error appears. It directly affects the safety of you and the people around you. 

Conclusion

Here’s the article that provides you with everything you need to know about the Transmission Control Module. It is almost a vital component in your car. We hope the article is helpful for you to choose an appropriate vehicle and deal with your problems in terms of the Transmission System.